Last year after preparing for 3 months I got a 590.
It took me 1 year to decide on retaking the GMAT.
Some background: I am Iranian, and unfortunately the GMAT do not held in Iran, so I should go abroad (to Turkey or UAE) to take the test. Each time it costs me more than 1000$
However, I was determined to get a score that be more representative of my skills.I got my B.sc in Industrial Engineering, M.sc. in IT Management, 5 years of consulting work experience got the first GPA in my class (3.8\4) and I am dreaming of getting my PhD in one of Canadian or US Business Schools.
Here in Iran there is not any official course on GMAT, even OG books are not found in Iran and I asked somebody to buy them from another country for me.
I have a 7.5 IELTS score, but it seems that GMAT Verbal is beyond the mere English Knowledge. It needs testing skills too.
Although I worked about 2 months on all my weaknesses (which were all in verbal) using OGs, Princeton, Kaplan, Kaplan 800, Manhattan SC, Spidey Notes and MGMATs, and got 700+ scores in almost all of my PowerPreps and GMATPreps, I couldnt get a 700+.
Improving 70 scores, I am content with my score. (It is in 83th percentile) I hope schools pay attention to my improvement not to 4 points less than 700
I think that GMAT is more about timing and good testing techniques.
By the way if u think that u lose energy in 4 hour GMAT exam, use my tip and drink Energy Drinks. They boost concentration.
And big lessons from my last bad experiences: 1.BE CALM! GMAT is so little to beat u. Try to be more powerful than GMAT and just know that if u lose your calmness and concentration, u will lose all u get in your preparations. 2.Don`t be like Joe Bloggs ( As Princeton, Cracking the GMAT calls it). Always look again to your answers. Don`t only choose the choice that seems good in your first look and do not rush!
Logging your errors is also very helpful as it does not let u to forget ur weaknesses and mistakes.
Please wish me good luck in the application process and any comment on my application process is welcome
P.S. This forum is a great and helpful place! Thanks to all the great members and admins. One of my motivations in the journey was to be able to write here one day..I hope u c me eligible of it
